identify the direct social, cultural and economic consequences to local communities caused by the establishment, expansion, or upgrading of protected areas [considering major impoverishment risks such as impacts to: 1) land (assets and access); 2) jobs (or loss of income sources or means of livelihoods); 3) homelessness (relocation or loss of shelter); 4) marginalization; 5) food insecurity and health; 6) increased morbidity and mortality; 7) loss of access to common property; and 8) social disarticulation (security, vulnerability, empowerment, governance, and disruption of social institutions)].

hear case studies about the distribution of costs and benefits of protected areas to local communities and households (with respect to direct financial benefits, equity, enabling policies, governance, institutional and socio-economic environment, and financing).

consider strategies to improve the role of protected areas in poverty reduction such as building assets in terms of opportunities for growth, empowerment, and increasing security.